Series 08: Florence James papers concerning television mini-series 'Come in spinner', 1980-1993

MLMSS 5877/Boxes 30-32

series

1980-1993

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Photographs, Clippings

71412

2 boxes of textual material

Florence James (1902-1993) was a novelist, editor and reviewer. She was born in New Zealand and educated at Sydney University where she began her long association with Dymphna Cusack. Together James and Cusack wrote two books, 'Four Winds and a Family', a story for children, and 'Come in Spinner' which won the Sydney Daily Telegraph prize in 1948. An abridged version of the novel was published by Heinemann in 1951. James edited the unabridged version which was published by Collins/Angus and Robertson in 1989. In 1990 the Australian Broadcasting Commission produced a mini-series based on 'Come in Spinner'.

The television mini-series was commissioned by the ABC and written by Lissa Benyon and Nick Enright in 1989-1990
1989; Episodes 1-6 of a six part mini-series, draft 2, Feb.-Mar. 1989, with ms. notes by Florence James (Call No.: ML MSS 5877/30)
1989; Part 1 of an incomplete two part mini-series, being an edited and rewritten version of episodes 1-3 of proposed six part project, draft 1, 24 April 1989. Includes ms. notes by Florence James. Episodes 1-3 in box 30 (Call No.: ML MSS 5877/30)
Episodes 4-6 in box 31
1989; Episodes 1-4 of a four part mini-series, draft 4, May-June 1989 (Call No.: ML MSS 5877/30)
1989; Parts 1-2 (4 episodes) of 'Final script'. Item 1 includes letter from Jan Chapman, producer, to Florence James, 21 July 1989; cast list; colour photograph of Rebecca Gibney (Call No.: ML MSS 5877/31)
1989-1990; Correspondence with the ABC. Includes notes and fragments of script (Call No.: ML MSS 5877/31)
ca.1980; 'Come in spinner, volume 1: locations, interiors-Hotel Australia, 1940s style salon located State Shopping Block, Kings Cross-then and now, Harbour and Circular Quay, miscellanous shots of Sydney 1948 and 1980'. Includes b/w photographs of Dymphna Cusack and Florence James, 1980 (Call No.: ML MSS 5877/31)
ca.1980; 'Come in spinner, volume 2: women, fashion, beauty, consumerism, what role for women?, mother?, worker?, soldier?, a producer?' (Call No.: ML MSS 5877/32)
1982-1989; 'History of CIS mini-series, 10 yr saga 1979-1989'. Includes log of events involved in preparing mini-series, prepared by Julie James Bailey, 1983; correspondence concerning mini-series, 1982-1989 (Call No.: ML MSS 5877/32)
1984-1989; 'Curtis Brown agreements'. Includes correspondence with Curtis Brown concerning financial agreements for mini-series, 1985-1989; and copy of agreement, 1984 (Call No.: ML MSS 5877/32)
1989-1991; Publicity and related material. Includes ms. letter from Rebecca Gibney, 22 April 1991; b/w photograph of Grace Knight (Call No.: ML MSS 5877/32)
1990-1991; Printed material. Includes copies of Ita, TV Week, Encore, Woman's Day (Call No.: ML MSS 5877/32)
1990-1993; 'Curtis Brown & PLR'. Includes correspondence with Curtis Brown and others concerning mini-series based on 'Southern steel' by Dymphna Cusack, 1990-1993; and financial statements concerning 'Come in spinner', 1991-1993 (Call No.: ML MSS 5877/32)